The new TWC building has provided TAAV with its own self-contained programming room. The program room has a full kitchenette and additional storage space for outdoor gear and program supplies. One of the best elements of the new space is its privacy. In the old building, meetings were held in the large conference room where foot traffic was high. In the new space TAAV meetings can operate almost uninterrupted. Thus, the new environment has positively impacted implementation of activities, depth of discusssions and project completion.

To understand a little more about the experience of local law enforcement, TWC’s Legal Advocate, Ariel Herman, volunteered to accompany a Bethel Police officer on duty. She landed in a police cruiser with Sargeant Corbett for a four-hour ride along around town. Ariel said it was interesting to see Bethel from the perspective of a police cruiser. Although not allowed into homes during calls, Ariel discussed with Srgt. Corbett his experiences afterwards. When asked how he stays positive in a line of work that brings him face to face with domestic and alcohol-related violence everyday, he responded that those he’s able to help even a small amount keeps him positive about the future.

This weekends K300 mushers fared very well considering trail conditions included severe wind, little snow and glare ice. John Baker and his team took first, Martin Buser took second and Lance Mackey came in third. It seemed as though the entire Bethel community was out to support the race! Volunteers checked times, transported dogs, fed and housed mushers and their teams. The weather was brutal but that didn’t stop the mushers and community members from going out and support the race.

A special thanks goes to all those who helped prep the building for Opening, and to those who worked during the day to keep things running smoothly. Whether it was a food tray or internet failure, staff and supporters chipped in where they were needed and the pay off was a great event that the entire community enjoyed. Thank you also to our guests who traveled from near and far to express their support. Also a big thanks to our board members for all of their help with this entire project!

Guests at the Grand Opening this Thursday, who have made significant contributions to Tundra Women’s Coalition’s new construction, may receive a special “Thank You.” That is, if staff haven’t eaten all of them already.

This holiday season, everyone in the Bethel community is invited to participate in the Giving Tree program at the Tundra Women’s Coalition. If you would like to make the holidays a little brighter for a family affected by domestic violence or sexual assault, please pick up a Giving Tree ornament at various businesses around town, including AC, Wells Fargo, Swanson’s, KUC, Cultural Center, Gladys Jung, and the LKSD district office. Please return the ornament and the gift, unwrapped, to the Tundra Women’s Coalition by Friday, December 18th. TWC is located at 250 6th Ave. If your time is limited, TWC also accepts cash donations that we can use to purchase gifts for the families. Please consider helping out these families who have stayed in the shelter in the past year. Call Eileen or Diane at 907-543-3444 for ideas of gifts that are needed. Thank you!

You should see the office right now – the packing party has begun! We’ve got music going and staff running every which way, packing supplies and materials into boxes to HOPEFULLY make it next door to the new building with as little confusion as possible. Do you think we can do it? Monday and Tuesday of next week, the staff will be transitioning the admin offices into our new home, so keep that in mind if you try calling. Grand Opening is scheduled for Thurs, Dec 17th at 11am and we’ll have an Open House all afternoon.